Prosecution calls for remand of Dr Rose Mukankomeje

Prosecution on Wednesday called for a 30-day remand of Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), to be able to complete investigation in a case in which she is implicated. This appeal was made as Mukankomeje appeared before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court in Nyamirambo, for mention of her case in which she is accused of three counts: destruction of evidence, breach of professional secrecy and tarnishing the image of state institutions. In motivating the call for her remand, prosecutor Gaspard Rudatinya said that she was a flight risk once released on bail and that she could also tamper with evidence. Mukankomeje was arrested on March 20 in connection with a corruption case involving two former leaders in Rutsiro District, who have been in custody since last year. The Rutsiro case involve the former mayor and the district executive secretary. Dr Rose Mukankomeje in the court yesterday. (Courtesy) During the hearing yesterday, court was informed that Mukankomeje, who was clad in casual wear of khaki pants, a white T-shirt and a dark jacket, had tipped off a person who was being investigated in connection with the Rutsiro corruption case, which led to his escape. The person in question is one Prudence Bisamaza, whom she allegedly spoke to on phone to warn him that he was a subject of a criminal investigation. “She called to inform him that his phone was being intercepted; that his conversation with the DAF (finance and administrative director of the district) had been recorded and that she didn’t want to have a lengthy discussion on phone, proposing instead to meet him in person later, charged the prosecutor. Indeed, the recorded phone call was played in court during which she was heard advising Bisamaza to discard his sim-card as a way to recant the conversation, hence erasing evidence. Mukankomeje was being represented by defence lawyer Tharcisse Udahemuka. Bisamaza, according to prosecution, is said to have been pushing for bail of Thomas Murenzi, the former executive secretary of Rutsiro District and an investigation had been opened to establish his role in the corruption case involving the two district leaders. Court also heard that Mukankomeje, who called Bisamaza on the eve of the commencement of the recent National Leadership Retreat, had during the conversation inferred that the security organs were a bunch of mad people who would stop at nothing to ensure they get incriminating evidence against him. Bisamaza, an entrepreneur, has also been working with REMA in the campaign to enforce the ban on polythene bags where he allegedly operates selling points for bio-degradable bags at different border posts. In her defence, Mukankomeje said that she only called Bisamaza to warn him after she realised he was in cahoots with the incarcerated Rutsiro leaders. She acknowledged the conversation from the recording that was played in court, but said she did not do that with intention to obstruct the course of justice. She called for bail, saying that she would not flee from justice, a call that was emphasised by her lawyer, Udahemuka. The judge said that the verdict on whether she will get bail or going to be remanded would be passed tomorrow on April 1. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Prosecution calls for remand of Dr Rose Mukankomeje